In geographic terms, one half of the earth – which can be divided into north / south or east / west

equator

an imaginary line that divides the earth into northern and southern halves. It is the zero degree line for latitude.

Globe

a three dimensional representation of the earth

map

a two dimensitional graphic representation of selected parts of the earth’s surface

Distortion

The twisting, compressing, and extending of shapes and sounds; distorting them from reality*all maps are distorted

Continents.

The largest bodies of land on Earth are called___________.

Demography

The scientific study of population

Population pyramid

A bar graph in pyramid form showing the age and composition of a population, usually a national one.

Three Monotheistic Religions

Judaism, Christianity, Islam.

Continental Drift Theory

– Theory by German scientist, Alfred Wegener stating that 300 million years ago all of Earth’s land masses collided to form one supercontinent called Pangaea.

topography

Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map, indicating their relative positions and elevations.

urbanization

the movement of people from rural areas to cities

Absolute Location

The exact spot on Earth where a place can be found.

Relative Location

The location of one place in relation to other places.

Democracy

A government system where the leaders are elected by citizens.

Oligarchy

A government system in which a few powerful people rule.

Communism

An economic and political system in which property is owned collectively and labor is organized in a way that is supposed to benefit all people. This was the type of government in the Soviet Union (USSR).

Renewable Resource

A resource that can be used and replaced over a relatively short period of time.

Subsistence Farming

A method of farming in which people grow food mainly to feed their households rather than to sell.

cartography

the study of maps and mapmaking

Peninsula

A piece of land that projects into a body of water and is connected with the mainland by an isthmus.

Sirocco

is a Mediterranean wind that comes from the Sahara and reaches hurricane speeds in North Africa and Southern Europe

North Atlantic Drift

warm ocean current in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean where it exerts considerable influence upon the climate as far as northwestern Europe